Orlando has everything from great theme parks to natural attractions like the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive. With so much to do, many fail to explore their own resort. If you’re staying at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando, fun can be found right inside the resort without even leaving property. Here are 6 things to do a Gaylord Palms Orlando Resort.
1. Explore The 4.5 Acre Atrium
One of the best parts about Gaylord Palms Orlando is the atrium. This 4.5 acre enclosed glass atrium features thousands of native Florida plants, animal displays, replicas of Florida landmarks, restaurants, shops, 360,000 gallons of harboring aquatic life and more.
The Gaylord Palms Orlando atrium is divided up into three unique sections.
St. Augustine Atrium at Gaylord Palms
The main atrium, and the largest at Gaylord Palms Orlando is themed after St. Augustine. This atrium features a replica of the Castillo de San Marcos and a replica of the Fountain of Youth. Inside the replica Castillo de San Marcos, you will find a small museum featuring the “Treasures of the Nuestra Señora de Atocha”. These golden artifacts were discovered from a sunken Spanish galleon that was lost of the coast of the Matecomb Keys of Florida in 1622.
Just outside the museum, you will also find Gator Springs, which features live alligators and turtles. Twice a week, the staff from Gatorland Florida will come out to feed the alligators. This typically happens on Tuesdays and Saturdays around 6:30pm.
Key West Atrium at Gaylord Palms
The Key West Atrium features a 161,000 gallon Key West lagoon. This lagoon features native fish such as Mangrove Snapper, redfish, Snook, stingrays and Tarpon. This atrium features a few shops as well as The S.S. Gaylord, which is home to the MOOR restaurant.
Everglades Atrium at Gaylord Palms
This atrium brings you to the Everglades with large cypress trees, native Florida plant life, rugged wooden walkway and a boggy swamp feel, without the humidity. In this atrium, you will find an old Florida Homestead called Sawgrass Place. Here you will find a baby alligators known as “grunts” and nonvenomous snakes, in a glass enclosure of coarse.
2. Enjoy Gaylord Palm’s On-Site Water Park
Gaylord Palm’s Orlando is home to Cypress Springs Water Park. This on-site water park features a large zero-entry pool, racing water slides, a drop slide, a multi-level tree house playground, and a FlowRider surfing experience. Gaylord Palms’ water park has something for the entire family.
Gaylord Palms Orlando Water Slides
There are two water slides at the Gaylord Palms Orlando. These are located on the Big Cypress water slide tower.
Compete with your family on the Tamiami Twister. These two slides are enclosed racing slides, great for family members to race each other to the bottom. Choose between the Tampa or Miami slide and enjoy a winding race to the deck.
The tallest slide is a 35-foot free-fall drop slide. Take a plunge down the Florida Free Fall drop slide, ending in a centrifuge before the final splashdown,
The family will have a blast taking these slides for a spin and your children will sleep well after charging up those stairs over and over all day.
FlowRider Surfing Experience – The Wake Zone
Catch a wave at Gaylord Palms’ double FlowRider Surfing Experience, The Wake Zone. You can body board or surf the waves with help and demonstrations from trainers. While wipe outs are expected, the padded floors and walls will make this a safe and fun experience for all ages.
Gaylord Palms’ Multi-level Treehouse Playground
Your kids will love the multi-level tree house water playground. There are several water slides built for younger children. They can jump around in the geyser and ground spray area, climb around in the playground area and then get soaked by the 317-gallon tipping bucket. This playground has 3 levels of fun for children to explore, all while staying cool in the Florida sun.
3. Relax At The Adult Only Pool
While having a blast with the kids in the on-site water park can be a great experience, sometimes parents need to just get away and relax, away from all the splashes and screams of children.
Gaylord Palms’ South Beach Pool is lined with palms and captures that South Beach flair. Sit back and relax in this large pool with plenty of space. Two hot tubs hidden away behind plants gives you a great place to get away from it all and relax in privacy.
4. Eat at On-Site Restaurants
Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando has plenty of options to eat on-site. From simple room service to eating on a boat in the Key West Atrium, there are plenty of options available.
Don’t Miss A Game, Check Out Wreckers Sports Bar
Enjoy some Loaded Tater-tots and a good burger while watching your favorite sports teams. Wrecker’s Sports Bar has more than 50 TVs and a two-story, 37-foot screen for watching your team. If sports is not your thing, feel free to relax outside and enjoy a drink on the terrace overlooking the South Beach Pool.
5. Do a Scavenger Hunt
Explore the entire 4.5 acre atrium at Gaylord Palms Orlando with a scavenger hunt for the whole family.
Check with the front desk to get your scavenger hunt journal and a compass which will take you on an adventure around all three atrium.
This is a great activity for the whole family, and not just the kids. Adults can get in on the fun and learn some new things while spending an hour hunting down clue. One tip we found very helpful was to use the compass built into your smart phone. The little compass provided was not very accurate and led us on a few wild goose chases.
Upon completion of the scavenger hunt around the Gaylord Palms atrium, you can take your completed journal to the front desk to receive a price, a Gaylord Palms explorer pin.
6. Get a High Score in the Arcade
Check out the on-site arcade and get your game on. There is a full fledged arcade on sight with many modern games that every kid and big kid will love.
Bonus Tip: Order Groceries To Your Room!
While the Gaylord Palms in Orlando has a shop downstairs where you can buy things like soda, snacks and even some essentials, these items can get pricey. We recommend ordering grocery delivery to your room from a service like Amazon Fresh, Instacart, or Walmart Delivery.
Have groceries delivered directly to your hotel! Be sure to check with your hotel front desk to confirm where the delivery will be. It's quick and easy; Amazon Prime members have a reduced delivery fee and free delivery on any order over $100.
Gaylord Palms Orlando has mini refrigerators in each room, so limit how many items you order that need to be kept cold. Be sure to check with the front desk on the latest policy on accepting delivery when you arrive. The bell services may have a fee for receiving your groceries on your behalf if you do not meet the delivery driver.